Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-08-04
SET IN DIAMONDS
BY Charlotte n. Braema
CHAPTER xxx.


point lace carelessly on the table, one
touched the ground. Jennie quite for
got that mischievous little kitten called
Snowfall was basking in the window.
lazily enjoying the warm sunshine;
raising its pretty head when Jennie
closed the door, and finding itself left
quite alone, began to speculate as to
what piece Of mischief it would enjoy
next; a tempting tassel hung from the
sofa pillow, but that was straightfor-
ward fun, nothing at all particular in
IL; reel of blue silk had fallen to the
ground, but no sensible kitten could
occupy itself long with that.
An, delightful, corner of the de Ii
cate lace, just enough to make Snow
bali long for more: 1t was delightful to
pull anu pull until the lovely soft lace
had covered him and he could not ex-
trlcate himself. Down 1t all fell, and
SNOWFALL lay underneath. 1t was
enough to make the duchesses of Meath
rise from their graves. Little recked
Snowfall; never had he enjoyed romp
better, the only p ty was there was no
other kitten near to enjoy 1t. Imagine
Jennle's horror when she saw what
had happened-Snowba curled up in
the soft folds Of the precious lace; she
gave one little cry of despair, then raised
the treasure cautiously.
Alas there was one great hole-a
great rent in the corner, the rest was
uninjured-a rent in the lace that had
been cherised as family heirloom, the
precious lace that the duchess was to
wear Tomorrow and which was n
small fortune in itself. What should
she do! Jennie's pretty face grew white
with horror and dismay.
"Oh, SNOWFALL, you have ruined me- -
she cried; 1.-THE duchess will never for
give me this-she never can. What
shall l do"
Jennie forgot her pretty cap and
pink ribbons; she forgot the handsome
gamekeeper and the sunshiny morning;
she could only wiring her hands in
dismay.
"what shall / do?" she cried. Then
folding the priceless lace most carefully,
she carried il to the housekeeper's room,
where with many tears she told her
story.
"Can you not mend it," asked Mrs.
Hilton, the housekeeper, a kindly
woman, who liked Jennie Dane.
mend it," cried Jennie: mo, not IL
were to try forever. Those who make
such lace as this know how to mend it
no Others"
IF the makers can mend" said Mrs.
Hilton, ''you are all right, Jennie; for
am told there is a person living at Lime
Terrace, just outside Claverlng, who
makes the finest lace in England"
Point lace?" asked Jennie In won
der.
"Yes, point lace. have heard how
many guineas she can make yard by
1t, but forget. Take it to her Jennie
she will do it."
II will go at once" said Jennie, and
In few minutes she was hurrying
down the high-road. A thousand game
keepers would not have interested her
now, she could think only of what the
duchess would say If the lace were
spoiled.
That same morning Mrs. Grey sat at
work in the upper room of No. 8 Lime
Terrace. She had seen the duke ride
by on horseback followed by his groom.
She had seen the duchess drive past In
her carriag on her beautiful face there
was look Of peace, as though her eyes
had rested on something so bright and
beautiful that they had caught bright
ness and hope. She will not leave her
place by the window for one moment,
lest the pony carriage should pass again,
and she might miss 1t.
Down the high-road comes the tall,
sleno er figure of girl walking hastily
evidently holding something that che
prizes very Notwithstanding evidently
to the terrace, and when she comes
nearer, Mrs. Grey recognizes the
pretty face, pale now with fear. She
hoe aaap tho Of ri nnnp0st tho a
that came from the Castle to the church.
She is not surprised when she hears a
rap at the door, and the little maid
comes to tell her that she is wanted;
but she will not quit her place-she
will not miss her one CLEAN of hap
piness-her one look at the beautiful
face as the carriage drives back.
LET the person who wishes to see
me come up stairs" she said, and few
moments afterward Jennie with her
pretty, pale, frightened face rushed in
to the room.
''Do forgive me-" cried Jennie; 81 ana
in such trouble, forgot to rap"
Then she paused abruptly, and in
wonder. She knew something of life
and she saw at one glance thai she was
speaking to lady Jennie dropped q
pretty courtesy. and stood still.
NJ am sorry you are in trouble" said
refined, musical voice, at which Jen-
ME was more astonished than ever.
IL am indeed in trouble" she replied
both voice and manner completely
changed. 81 had some very valuable
lace belonging to the duchess in my
charge, and / have been careless over
it."
Jennie told Just what had happened
and showed the damage done. But
before Mrs. Grey looked at the lace,
she asked suddenly:
Are you the Duchess Of. Neath's
maidg"
"Yes," replied Jennie; land q very
careless maid am."
eth ducbess's own maid9" repeated
Mrs. Grey.
Her face flushed, her eyes grew bright
A mdu impulse was on her to kiss the
hands that served her daughter-tok ist
that pretty face SO often near hel
daughters, but she checked herself
She sat perfectly still, and the brigh
flush faded into deadly pallor.
es," repeated Jennie, IL am thu
duchess's own maid. She gave me thu
lace this morning, and see what ha'
happened"
Mrs Grey had to walt until the trem-
bling OF her hands ceased. The maid
looked at her In wonder. Why should
she tremble sop Wisely enough she
made no remark. Mrs Grey looked al
the lace.
al can mend It," she said, s'but I,
will take me the whole day and half the
nightv